WA robot technology delivers solution for key developing global markets

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The Hadrian X construction robot has completed construction of its first two-storey structure in Western Australia.

Perth-based robotic technology company FBR Ltd has completed construction of its first two-storey structure using the Hadrian X construction robot.

The structure was built on FBR’s premises in a building style commonly found around the world in developing markets, including key FBR markets such as Mexico, the Middle East, North Africa, Gulf Cooperation Council region and throughout Asia.

FBR chief executive officer Mike Pivac says this was the first time FBR had demonstrated the Hadrian X’s ability to build two-storey structures, as well as working with design elements such as steel-reinforced concrete column and suspended concrete slabs.

“The completion of our first two-storey build is a significant step in the commercialisation of our robotic construction technology,” Pivac says.

“In many parts of the world our customers want to be able to build two-storey structures safely, quickly and efficiently, and we have now demonstrated that the Hadrian X can deliver on those customer needs.

“We have also taken this opportunity to demonstrate our ability to work a range of design elements such as steel-reinforced concrete columns, which may be required in certain locations due to factors such as seismic activity, weather patterns or custom.”

Pivac says while the additional features were not required to build two-storey townhouses in places like Western Australia, it was important to demonstrate to international customers that the Hadrian X was capable of meeting relevant engineering requirements in their markets.

Starter bars were inserted into the concrete slab, with couplers used to install rebar through the aligned cores of the blocks, and concrete manually poured into the cores.

Steel cages were inserted into the block columns built by the Hadrian X, with a concrete pump used to fill the columns.

FBR crane-lifted a precast concrete slab onto the structure the day after the first storey was completed, with the Hadrian X commencing building of the second storey immediately after the crane left FBR’s premises.

In large greenfields developments it is likely the Hadrian X would continue building the first levels of the adjacent buildings in the development while the second storey slabs are formed and poured, before returning to build the second storey of each structure once the slabs have cured.

A video capturing the construction of the two-storey structure can be viewed at https://youtu.be/l1O1yRZO2Fg.

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